UCLA lands James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick for extra season
The 2025 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year joins Bob Chesney in Los Angeles after receiving eligibility relief.
UCLA has added linebacker Trent Hendrick after a Louisiana court granted him a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, giving him an additional season of eligibility and access to the transfer portal outside the normal window.
Hendrick chose the Bruins after participating in Cleveland Browns minicamp in May. The move reunites him with Bob Chesney, who coached Hendrick at James Madison for two seasons before taking over UCLA in December. Hendrick is the 11th player to follow Chesney from James Madison to UCLA.
institutional knowledge could help curb the learning curve
The 6-foot, 234-pound Hendrick started 32 games across four seasons with the Dukes and was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 after helping James Madison reach the College Football Playoff. UCLA opens Sept. 5 at Cal, a program involved in Hendrick's recruitment.